Taxes Due Today for Boston Residents after Bombing Extension

By David Ertischek

With the bombings at the Boston Marathon occurring on Tax Day, the Internal Revenue Service extended the individual income tax return deadline to July 15 for local residents. 

This extension applied to all individual taxpayers who live in Suffolk County and includes victims, their families, first responders and others impacted by the bombings, who live outside Suffolk County and were adversely affected by the bombings, according to an IRS press release.Individual tax returns are usually due on April 15, but due to the circumstances, eligible taxpayers were given an extended deadline until July 15, 2013, to file their 2012 returns and pay any taxes normally due April 15. 

No filing and payment penalties will be due as long as tax returns are filed and payments are made by July 15. By law, interest, currently at the annual rate of 3 percent compounded daily, does still apply to any payments made after the April deadline.

Eligible taxpayers living outside of Massachusetts' Suffolk County must have claimed this relief by calling 866-562-5227 before filing a return or making a payment. 

Eligible taxpayers who need more time to file their returns may receive an additional extension to Oct. 15, 2013, by filing Form 4868 by Monday, July 15.

If you have a question unrelated to the Boston tragedy, visit IRS.gov, or contact the regular IRS toll-free number at 800-829-1040.